David Bahn – Reflections

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Luke 2:21

And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Jesus! Name of Wondrous Love

Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Name all other names above,
Unto which must ev’ry knee
Bow in deep humility.

Jesus! Name decreed of old,
To the maiden mother told,
Kneeling in her lowly cell,
By the angel Gabriel.

Jesus! Name of priceless worth
To the fallen of the earth
For the promise that it gave,
“Jesus shall His people save.”

Jesus! Name of mercy mild,
Given to the holy Child
When the cup of human woe
First He tasted here below.

Jesus! Only name that’s giv’n
Under all the mighty heav’n
Whereby those to sin enslaved
Burst their fetters and are saved.

Jesus! Name of wondrous love,
Human name of God above;
Pleading only this, we flee
Helpless, O our God, to Thee.

[Public domain]

His name in Hebrew is Yeshua. The Greek equivalent is Joshua. His name means, “The Lord Saves.” And that is why he came. The hymn above beautifully expresses the significance of Jesus’ name. His name is the name of wondrous love, mercy, priceless worth, and above all other names.

His name is so precious to me that I had to stop watching at least two TV programs. Ted Lasso: No more. Top Gear (the original one): Off. Too tritely using Jesus’ name. Too easily using it to mock or swear. Too often a throw-away. But Jesus’ name is no throw-away. Not to those who treasure his gifts.

Jesus’ name is much more than a moniker. It’s not just a way that his Shabbat School teacher could call on him. It wasn’t only the way his friends chose him for their ball team. Mary and Joseph didn’t consult a list of popular names for boys born in Bethlehem. If anything, they might have named him David, for he was born there. Remember, Joseph had to go the the City of David, for he was of the house and lineage of David. But just as the angel had told them, they named him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

His name is so important  to me that I am inclined to use “Jesus” rather than “Christ” when referring to our Lord. So I pray in Jesus’ name. I call on Jesus in my prayers. I speak of Jesus’ love. I call myself a Jesus-follower. Jesus is my Lord, Savior, Redeemer, and Friend.

I hope he is all that and more for you, Dear Reader.